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MMO-style mod StarCraft Universe looks incredible and is in open beta

StarCraft Universe is astounding for a number of reasons. First, it’s an MMO-like multiplayer mod for StarCraft II. It raised $85,000 on Kickstarter with Blizzard’s blessing. It’s got full voice acting and CGI cinematics. Perhaps most impressive of all for a fan-made project of this scope, it’s actually reached a playable state and is in open beta right now.

The mod has been in the works for over five years, and the open beta is really just a taste of the full experience launching next month. The beta features three prologue sequences and an open multiplayer segment. You can play it even if you don’t own StarCraft II, since the free Starter Edition of Blizzard’s sci-fi strategy title allows custom maps.

”We wanted to combine the third person action RPG elements of World of WarCraft, the combat mechanics of Diablo, and the starship mechanics of FTL with the StarCraft setting,” say the developers. “We wanted the game to be completely voice acted with a unique story, custom art assets, and a fresh musical score. We wanted it to open with a breathtaking CG cinematic, inspired by Blizzard Entertainment’s dedication to high production values.”

I haven’t had the chance to play it for myself, but the production values are incredible, and it’s downright shocking to see a mod project of this scale actually make it to a final release. The devs are answering questions over at Reddit, and holding an Indiegogo campaign to fund the last bit of development. (Thanks, PCGamesN.)